1 Mazuna – Morocco
Morocco
Context
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboardB32.7
Numista: #157505
Value
Bullion value: $1.95
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1787 | — | — | ||
| 1788 | — | — | ||
| 1789 | — | — | ||
| 1790 | — | — |
Historical background
In 1787, the currency situation in the Kingdom of Morocco was characterized by significant instability and fragmentation, a direct reflection of the broader political and economic challenges of the late Alawite dynasty under Sultan Muhammad ibn Abdallah. The state treasury was depleted following years of costly military campaigns, internal rebellions, and a decline in traditional revenue from the trans-Saharan gold trade. This financial strain forced the Makhzen (the central authority) to frequently debase the silver dirham, the principal coinage, by reducing its silver content. This practice eroded public trust and led to widespread hoarding of older, purer coins, further disrupting the economy.
The monetary system itself was a complex and inefficient patchwork. Alongside the official, often debased, silver dirhams, a variety of foreign coins circulated widely, particularly Spanish reales and other European silver pieces from trade in the northern ports. These foreign coins were often preferred for their reliable metal content. Furthermore, the Sultanate struggled to impose a uniform currency across its territories. Berber tribes in the mountains and remote regions frequently operated outside the state's monetary system, relying on barter or minting their own crude local coinage, which hindered centralized trade and tax collection.
This chaotic currency environment severely hampered both domestic commerce and international trade. Merchants faced constant uncertainty regarding exchange rates and the real value of coins, while the state found it difficult to budget and pay its troops, leading to further unrest. Sultan Muhammad ibn Abdallah recognized these problems and attempted reforms, including efforts to mint new, standardized coins and regulate exchanges. However, in 1787, these measures had yet to achieve lasting success, leaving Morocco with a weakened and unreliable monetary system that mirrored the kingdom's struggle to maintain cohesion and economic sovereignty in a changing Atlantic and Mediterranean world.
The monetary system itself was a complex and inefficient patchwork. Alongside the official, often debased, silver dirhams, a variety of foreign coins circulated widely, particularly Spanish reales and other European silver pieces from trade in the northern ports. These foreign coins were often preferred for their reliable metal content. Furthermore, the Sultanate struggled to impose a uniform currency across its territories. Berber tribes in the mountains and remote regions frequently operated outside the state's monetary system, relying on barter or minting their own crude local coinage, which hindered centralized trade and tax collection.
This chaotic currency environment severely hampered both domestic commerce and international trade. Merchants faced constant uncertainty regarding exchange rates and the real value of coins, while the state found it difficult to budget and pay its troops, leading to further unrest. Sultan Muhammad ibn Abdallah recognized these problems and attempted reforms, including efforts to mint new, standardized coins and regulate exchanges. However, in 1787, these measures had yet to achieve lasting success, leaving Morocco with a weakened and unreliable monetary system that mirrored the kingdom's struggle to maintain cohesion and economic sovereignty in a changing Atlantic and Mediterranean world.
✨ Legendary